Daily Current Affairs- 10th September 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 10th September 2025

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025

In the News: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav conferred the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025 to the best-performing cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), alongside awarding Wetland City Recognition to Indore and Udaipur under the Ramsar Convention, at a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Key Points:

• Award Ceremony: The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025, part of the annual air quality ranking under NCAP, were presented by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
• Top Performers – Category I (Population above 10 lakh):
  • Indore topped with a perfect score of 200/200, earning ₹1.5 crore. Major efforts included planting over 16 lakh trees and expanding sustainable public transport with 120 electric and 150 CNG buses.
  • Jabalpur stood second with 199 points and received ₹1 crore. Notable initiatives: an 11 MW waste-to-energy plant and extensive greening.
  • Agra and Surat jointly held third place with 196 points each and a cash award of ₹25 lakh. Agra undertook waste dump remediation and Miyawaki plantations; Surat introduced favorable EV policies and achieved 38% green cover.
• Category II (Population 3–10 lakh):
  • Amravati led with 200 points and ₹75 lakh reward. Key interventions included upgradation of roads (340 km pavement), extensive greening across 53 gardens, and converting 19 acres of barren land into forests.
  • Jhansi and Moradabad tied for second with 198.5 points; each awarded ₹25 lakh. Jhansi focused on urban greening and Miyawaki pockets, while Moradabad improved road infrastructure and managed construction waste.
  • Alwar came third (197.6 points), awarded ₹25 lakh for remediating legacy waste dumps.
• Category III (Population below 3 lakh):
  • Dewas topped with 193 points and received ₹37.5 lakh. The city notably shifted industries to cleaner fuel alternatives.
  • Parwanoo (2nd – 191.5 points) earned ₹25 lakh for end-to-end road pavement.
  • Angul (3rd – 191 points) got ₹12.5 lakh for road infrastructure improvements and public outreach efforts.
• Wetland City Recognition:
  • Indore and Udaipur were awarded “Wetland City” accreditation under the Ramsar Convention for their exceptional urban wetland conservation efforts.
• Broader Impact:
  • Under NCAP, funding of over ₹1.55 lakh crore has been mobilized for clean air measures and green infrastructure across 130 cities.
  • The survey highlights collective reductions in PM10 levels—64 cities achieved ≥20% reduction; 25 cities saw ≥40% improvement versus 2017–18 baselines.
  • Two new initiatives were launched during the event — the Ward-Level Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Guidelines and a Compendium of Best Practices — aimed at deepening local engagement and knowledge sharing.
  • The awards reaffirm India’s commitment to cleaner air, sustainable urban development, circular economy practices, and environmental stewardship.

Swacchotsav 2025 to Celebrate Clean and Green Festivities

In the News: The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) announced that Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025, themed “Swacchotsav – Celebrating Clean and Green Festivities”, will be observed from 17th September to 2nd October 2025 to promote cleanliness and sustainable practices during the festive season.

Key Points:

• Campaign Launch & Theme: Swacchotsav is the seventh edition of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, emphasizing cleanliness as a lasting way of life rather than a one-off activity. The theme is especially relevant as it aligns with India’s festive period.
• Preparatory Stakeholder Engagement: A preparatory meeting was co-chaired by the Union Ministers of Housing & Urban Affairs and Jal Shakti. Participants included Ministers in charge of Urban and Rural Sanitation from States/UTs and senior officials. The agenda focused on identifying Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs), legacy waste cleanup, and mapping progress from previous campaigns.
• Importance of Citizen Participation and App Usage: Union Minister Manohar Lal emphasized that cleanliness is a collective “dharma” and called upon both citizens and urban local bodies to use the Swachhata App for reporting and resolving local cleanliness issues.
• Clean & Green Festivities Objectives: The campaign seeks to leverage cultural fervor and community engagement during festivals to promote eco-friendly behaviors, such as clean surroundings, proper waste disposal, and minimizing environmental footprints.
• Focus Areas for Implementation:

Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs): Identify specific zones (markets, pilgrim centers, festival hubs) for intensive cleaning and transformation.

• Legacy Waste Management: Prioritize cleanup of older dumpsites to prevent accumulation during festivities.
• Swachhata App Usage: Promote use of digital platforms for cleanliness reporting and follow-up.

PM Modi Announces Rs.1,600 Crore Relief for Flood‑Hit Punjab

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs.1,600 crore financial assistance package for flood-affected Punjab during a visit to Gurdaspur, following an aerial survey of the devastated region. This aid comes in addition to the Rs.12,000 crore already available to the state. The announcement also included ex-gratia payments and a multidimensional relief strategy.

Key Points:

• Financial Assistance Overview: PM Modi announced ₹1,600 crore in additional financial aid for Punjab, supplementing the ₹12,000 crore previously in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).  He also approved the advance release of the second SDRF installment and funds under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
• Compensation and Welfare Measures: The following relief measures were announced:
  • ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of the deceased.
  • ₹50,000 for those seriously injured in the floods.
  • Special support for orphaned children through the PM CARES for Children scheme.
• Multi-Dimensional Recovery Approach: Restoration and rehabilitation will include: Rebuilding homes under PM Awas Yojana, Repairing national highways and reconstructing schools, Relief support via the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF), Distribution of mini kits for livestock. Agricultural assistance including:
  • Refurbishment of silted borewells under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
  • Solar panel provisions for diesel-run pumps (via MNRE).
  • Support for micro-irrigation under the Per Drop More Crop initiative.
• Ground Assessment and Government Support: Special Inter-Ministerial Central Teams have been deployed to assess the flood damage and recommend further aid.

Indian Armed Forces Join Exercise ZAPAD 2025 in Russia

In the News: A contingent of 65 Indian Armed Forces personnel has departed for Russia to take part in Exercise ZAPAD 2025, a multilateral joint military exercise held at Mulino Training Ground, Nizhniy, from September 10 to 16, 2025. The contingent includes members from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. The battalion of the Kumaon Regiment leads the Indian Army’s participation.

Key Points:

• Deployment Details: India has dispatched 65 personnel: 57 from the Indian Army, 7 from the Indian Air Force, and 1 from the Indian Navy. The Army contingent is led by a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment.
• Exercise Objectives: Exercise ZAPAD 2025 is designed to enhance military cooperation and interoperability among participating nations. It provides a platform for exchanging tactics, techniques, and procedures in conventional warfare and counter-terrorism.
• Operational Focus: The drill focuses on joint company-level operations in open and flat terrain. Training includes joint mission planning, tactical manoeuvres, and specialized arms exercises.
• Technological Engagement: Participants will engage in emerging technology integration, refine joint tactical skills, and adapt to multinational combat environments.
• Strategic Diplomacy: India’s participation underscores deepening India–Russia defence cooperation, fostering camaraderie and reinforcing mutual defence preparedness.

International Conference on Space 2025

In the News:  Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the International Conference on Space 2025 held in Bengaluru on September 8–9, 2025, under the theme “Harnessing Space for Global Progress: Innovation, Policy, and Growth.” The event brought together over 500 delegates including government officials, industry leaders, academics, and startups.

Key Points:

• Conference Overview: Organized over two days (September 8–9, 2025) in Bengaluru, this event served as a premier platform for dialogue on advancing India’s space sector through innovation and policy synergy.
• Co-organizers: The conference was co-hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), with support from ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre), and NSIL (NewSpace India Ltd).
• Themes & Highlights: Emphasis on innovation-driven space growth, leveraging domestic and global partnerships. Focus on how policy reforms and industry participation can accelerate India’s emergence as a NewSpace economy. Recognition of key future goals like establishing a Bharatiya Space Station by 2035 and sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
• Agenda Highlights: Day 1 (Sep 8) covered areas like bridging gaps in India’s space vision, private sector role in NewSpace economy, self-reliance through indigenous capabilities, and next-gen satellite communication technologies including 5G/6G and IoT.  Day 2 (Sep 9) included discussions on Earth observation data commercialization, startups in space ecosystem, international collaboration for sustainable space exploration, space–defence synergies, and building talent for India’s space economy.
• Strategic Context: The conference underscores India’s aspirations to become a spacefaring nation, integrate space technologies into societal and economic development, and attract global investments. India has already drawn about USD 300 million in global investment and collaborates with over 40 countries in space activities.

Nepal Gen Z protests

In the News: Nepal is witnessing large-scale protests led by Generation Z, sparked by the government's abrupt ban on 26 popular social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube. Demonstrations demanding accountability, free expression, and anti-corruption reforms have turned violent, prompting a nationwide curfew and deployment of the military. The unrest culminated in the resignation Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli.
Key Points:

• Protests & Causes: What began as digital dissent over a government ban on social media platforms escalated into mass street protests, primarily led by disillusioned Nepali youth (Gen Z), demanding transparency, governance reforms, and restoration of digital freedoms.
• Scale & Intensity: Protesters gathered in Kathmandu and beyond, attempting to storm Parliament. Security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, resulting in 19+ deaths and hundreds of injuries.
• Government Response & Resignations: The government lifted the social media ban on September 9, 2025. However, amid escalating unrest, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned.
• Security Measures: A national curfew remains in effect. The Nepali Army has taken control of key areas, including the capital and aircraft operations. Kristi Ram Chandra airport has reopened after being closed.
• Impact on Civilians & Travel: Air travel has been severely disrupted—flights were suspended, and Indian nationals stranded were urged to stay indoors. Around 40 Indian tourists were reported stranded but safe.
• Youth Leadership & Political Fallout: The leaderless protests evolved into a stronger youth-driven movement. Gen Z activists have proposed Sushila Karki, Nepal’s former Chief Justice, as a potential interim prime minister due to her anti-corruption credibility.

Who is Sebastien Lecornu, the new French PM and why was he appointed?

In the News: French President Emmanuel Macron appointed his Defence Minister and long-time loyalist, Sébastien Lecornu, as the new Prime Minister of France on September 9, 2025, following the resignation of François Bayrou after a no-confidence vote. Lecornu assumes leadership amid deep political instability and growing public discontent.

Key Points:

• Appointment Overview: President Macron selected Sébastien Lecornu (aged 39) as Prime Minister following the collapse of the previous government led by François Bayrou, who lost a confidence vote over his austerity-driven budget plan. Lecornu was officially sworn in on September 9, 2025.
• Profile: Lecornu is a seasoned politician and Macron loyalist—he's the only minister to have served in every government since Macron’s first term in 2017. His recent role as Minister of the Armed Forces saw him manage a €413 billion military modernization program in response to the Ukraine conflict.
• Mandate & Challenges: Entrusted with the urgent task of forging political consensus, Lecornu has been asked to engage all parliamentary factions to pass France’s 2026 budget. His government marks a continuation of Macron’s pro-business reform agenda, albeit under a fragile minority government.
• Political Context: France is grappling with a severe political deadlock following the snap legislative election of 2024 that produced a fragmented parliament. Lecornu is the country’s fifth Prime Minister under Macron in less than two years. He now faces mass protests from the "Block Everything" movement and heightened scrutiny of fiscal stability.

Asia Cup Schedule 2025, Check Key Matches, Timings and Venues

In the News: The Asia Cup 2025, a prominent men’s T20 cricket tournament, is being hosted by the United Arab Emirates from 9 to 28 September 2025. Matches are taking place across Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, featuring a total of 19 games including the final.

Key Points:

• Tournament Overview: Organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the tournament runs from 9–28 September 2025 in the UAE and follows a T20 International (T20I) format. It features 8 teams—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and three qualifiers: UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong—with 19 matches scheduled in total.
• Format and Structure: The competition begins with a group stage, followed by a Super Four round and capped off with the final on 28 September in Dubai. Teams are split into two groups of four, with the top two from each advancing.
• Highlights – Key Matches: Opening match: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong at Abu Dhabi on 9 September.
  • India’s campaign begins vs UAE at Dubai on 10 September.
  • India vs Pakistan, the marquee fixture, is scheduled for 14 September in Dubai.
  • The final will take place in Dubai on 28 September.
• Venues & Broadcast Info: The tournament is held across two venues: Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sheikh Zayed Stadium, with 11 matches in Dubai and 8 in Abu Dhabi. Telecasts and streaming details include TV networks and official digital platforms (e.g., Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV for India).
• Prize Money: The prize purse has been significantly increased, with the winning team earning USD 300,000, marking a 50% jump from previous editions